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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Saskatchewan, Canada
Posts: 1,371
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Optima Red vs. Yellow
Since I had to buy a new inner fender, front fender, battery tray and rebuild my rad support due to rust, I have decided a sealed battery is the ticket for me. I have read countless reviews on here, and Optimas look like a good deal. One thing I can't seem to see though, is what is the better choice, the yellow or the red? The yellow looks like it can be drained/charged a million times, but what are the advantages to the red? The color means nothing to me, as I will be painting the top to match my truck.
Also, what do I have to buy for adapters to get this thing to fit my factory 72 battery tray and hold-down? Thanks!
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1964 Chevy Short Fleet: Tornado 1972 Chevy C10: Fast Orange Secondaries Wide Open |
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#2 |
Active Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Miami, Florida
Posts: 286
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Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow
Comparing the Optima red and yellow top, both as group 34 batteries.
Yellow top description: # 810 Cranking Amps # 650 Cold Cranking Amps # 98 Minute Reserve # 48 AH # 9.4" Length x 6.8" Width x 7.6" Heigth # Approx. 38 lbs. # Notes: Deep Cycle Battery, Standard Auto Posts On Top with GM side terminals, Comes with Carrying Strap, Excellent Multi Purpose Battery for Cars and Trucks, Use For Starting and Deep Cycling, Great Choice For Audio/Video Systems, Aux. Lights, Winches, Etc. Red top description: * 980 Cranking Amps * 800 Cold Cranking Amps * 110 Minute Reserve * 55 AH * 10" Length x 6.8" Width x 7.8" Heigth * Approx. 39 lbs. * Notes: Non-Deep Cycle Battery, Standard Auto Posts On Top with GM Side Terminals, Comes with Carrying Strap, Excellent Starting Battery for Cars and Trucks Hope this helps, -Fred |
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#3 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: East Central, MO
Posts: 11,336
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Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow
I think the yellow is more for marine use from what I was told. The orginal clamps hold my battery just fine.
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Charles City IA
Posts: 1,626
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Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow
The blue is for marine use
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'67 C20, Under the Knife!, LWB, Eaton HO-52, Rear Coil Springs 72' GMC C2500, 350, TH400(?), Dana 60 '67 K10 4-spd., 305, SM465, Dana 44, 12 Bolt, RUST! '65 C60 292, 4 spd, 2 spd Rearend, 15' Grain Box, MINT! 09 Yukon Denali 82k Miles 6.2L/6A |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Monroe, WA
Posts: 87
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Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow
If you don't have any application that will deeply discharge your battery (running high wattage stereo for hours on end at competition level, regularly using a winch, lots of lights running without engine on, etc) you might as well save the $70 and get the red top.
FWIW, I love my Yellow top, but my FJ40 has a small alternator and sees a lot of winch duty so it's worth it to me. If you're not dead-set on Optimas (there seems to be a lot of complaints about degrading quality over the past couple years), people seem happy with the Exide Orbitals which are VERY similar in design to Optima. Good luck, Eric |
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#6 |
Questionable
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 13,376
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Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow
Yellow is deep cycle. Red is not. What does this mean for you?
You can drain the yellow completely several times and it won't die. You drain a red completely a couple of times and it's toast. I guess you are best to decide whether or not you drain your battery almost all the way regularly.
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If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM. |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Westminster, SC
Posts: 50
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Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow
My redtop always cranks my drag car with no issues.. Even when having to crank a lot because of flooding or whatever the battery never gives up.. Recharging is quick and the batteries are light.. And the 3 year warranty is nice also.. I am happy with my redtop..
Good Luck.. James.. |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Lexington Park, MD
Posts: 47
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Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow
I also use the red top and it still works as if it was new. I drained the battery completely by accident cause i created a short with the wrong kind of alternator. still works. I did have to add a 2 ohm resistor for my radio but thats it. Love the battery, will use on all my trucks when the old one goes bad. Tough on the money but its worth it
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1972 Chevy Truck 350ci/th350 Auto. Daily Driver ![]() |
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#9 |
Special Order
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,858
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Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow
I put a yellow in a truck that kept draining the battery.I`ve since figured the problem out and have a late-model one wire alt/volt reg system.I`ve used marine batteries in campers and they perform great for cold cranking.Also great for trucks that don`t get driven all winter.I generally remove them and store inside.But,sometimes time slips away on me.
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Saskatchewan, Canada
Posts: 1,371
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Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow
Sounds like a red top is the battery for me. Thanks!
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1964 Chevy Short Fleet: Tornado 1972 Chevy C10: Fast Orange Secondaries Wide Open |
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#11 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hillsboro Oregon
Posts: 6,449
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Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow
I just put a 34/78 Red top in my 69 Burb. I played around with different ways to mount it and I think I found the best method. The battery will come with several "clips." I used the "wing clips." The front clip is installed as designed but the rear clip is flipped over. The rear flange of the battery tray and the nut-plate/bracket had to be tweaked back just slightly. Then the factory hold down worked perfectly. I've read about guys clearancing the factory hold-down to clear the center cell. I wanted to minimize unnecessary butchering. I was going to write up a thread on it. I'll post pics when I can.
Oh, and the battery is awesome (so far). Last edited by Frizzle Fry; 02-26-2007 at 10:17 PM. |
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#12 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hillsboro Oregon
Posts: 6,449
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Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow
Now I just need to replace some sheetmetal
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#13 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hillsboro Oregon
Posts: 6,449
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Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow
You can see that I removed the clips or tabs from this wing-clip because they were pointing up and looking dumb...
Last edited by Frizzle Fry; 02-26-2007 at 10:19 PM. |
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#14 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Lewisville, Nc
Posts: 10,234
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Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow
red for starting yellow for for audio blue for mariana
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David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Saskatchewan, Canada
Posts: 1,371
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Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow
Thanks for the pics Frizzle Fry. Those will be very helpful when it comes time to mount this unit up.
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1964 Chevy Short Fleet: Tornado 1972 Chevy C10: Fast Orange Secondaries Wide Open |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sevierville/Cookeville TN
Posts: 138
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Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow
I have had the same yellow top for 5 years now. I have a stereo that draws a max of 160 amps and a 12 volt air compressor for my suspension that draws 70 amps continuous when it is running. It has never given me any trouble.
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03 ext cab stepside silverado bagged on 20's with some other cool stuff (daily driver) ![]() 1970 c10 short step just gettin started on it (project) ![]() |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Indpls, IN
Posts: 50
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Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow
I have the red one in my camaro and it is a good looking and performing battery.
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59 apache sbss. 68 sbss. 57 belair"old man car". |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NW, WA.
Posts: 1,421
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Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...tery_setup.htm
Some very good advice on battery tech here.... BOTTOM LINE: Don't use a Deep Cycle batt for Hi AMP draw like winches. Red tops are great for trucks, I'm running 2 of them. |
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#19 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: over yonder
Posts: 14,270
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Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow
Can't say for everyone's area, but my local COSTCO carries Optima batteries and at a pretty good savings too, from what I can remember.
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#20 |
Active Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: TENNESSEE
Posts: 119
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Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow
ok this may be a dumb question but I heard you cant charge these with a regular battery charger, any truth to this??
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Westminster, SC
Posts: 50
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Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow
I used a standard 100 amp charger on mine with no problems but then again I never asked if I could or not..
Good Luck.. James.. |
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: tonawanda ny
Posts: 4
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Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow
I was'nt able to recharge my Red top with my old charger,it would sound funny and it was heating up. Had to buy a new one that was compatable with a glass mat battery.
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#23 |
The LuvShack Garage
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side)
Posts: 30,477
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Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow
![]() That's what my buddy told me about them ![]()
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#24 |
God Bless Mr. T
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Minot, ND
Posts: 348
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Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow
Optima is a gell cell battery. When testing/charging them, a setting has to be changed on the machin to gell cell. That is how our Sabre and PowerLogic testers are.
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#25 |
senior member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: fort macleod alberta
Posts: 2,770
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Re: Optima Red vs. Yellow
same here, also walmart carries them and is fairly cheap
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69 GMC bagged |
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